Globe-Trotting Benefit Cheat's £1/2 Million Home

A benefit cheat who bought a £540,000 home while fraudulently claiming income support and took her family on holidays all over the world has dodged jail with a suspended sentence.

Mother-of-four Joanne Elizabeth Garratt, 34, of Queen's Mead Road, Shortlands, Bromley, South-East London continued claiming she was a single-mum despite living with her on-off partner and unlawfully pocketed £31,554.67.

She pleaded guilty to obtaining a money transfer by deception, namely income support payments, between April 12, 2005 and August 29, 2008 and was sentenced to eighteen weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid community service work.

Croydon Crown Court Recorder Nicole Williams told Garratt: "You have accepted you have defrauded the State. It is not a stateless body, but is made up ordinary people who pay taxes. These are the people you have defrauded."

Garratt, (pictured) mother of Liam, 14, Lauren, 12, Henry, 6 and a nine-month old boy failed to inform the Department of Work and Pensions she was supported by roofer Steve Eldridge, the father of the three boys.

Prosecutor Mr. Daniel Benjamin told the court that in 2003 Garratt bought a house in Sydenham, South London for £200,000 and re-mortgaged it three years later for £205,000.

On August 1, 2008 she bought her current house for £540,000, putting down a £110,000 deposit, claiming she had a well-paid job in her mortgage application.

Between 2005 and 2008 over £200,000 passed through her various bank accounts.

In 2006 Mercedes-driving Garratt bought jewellery items worth £3,400; £2,105 and £235 and took a £2,600 holiday to Turkey with her partner and the two older boys.

She made a return trip the next year, which cost £2,200 and also in 2007 took her children to Australia then on a £4,000 trip to the USA along with Mr. Eldridge and other family members.

"That money could not have been spent without financial support from elsewhere," explained Mr. Benjamin. "That, in part, was Mr. Eldridge's wages."

The Department's surveillance operation filmed her partner coming and going from the family home at the same time Garratt claimed to be a single-mum.

Her lawyer Mr. James Sutherland told the court: "She is beside herself with shame to find herself in the position she is in.

"The house has been put up for sale, the car has been taken back, this is a woman with many debts."

The court was told since last year Garratt has been repaying the Department at the rate of £5 per week, rising to £10 per week.

"You have shown a high-level of remourse according to the pre-sentence report," Recorder Williams told Garratt. "You have lost your good character. That in itself is a punishment.

"This offence occurred over a number of years and it is a high claim with a high loss to the state."

Footballer Jailed For Punching Wheelclamper

Hot-head footballer Leon McDowall – whose promising career has been ruined by a series of bust-ups – has been jailed again for violently punching a wheel clamper, fracturing the victim’s eye socket.

The 27 year-old Whyteleafe FC striker, (pictured) of Burnell Road, Sutton was sentenced to nine months imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court and branded a “risk to the community.”

He denied, but was convicted by a jury of assaulting Ibrahim Jallah, causing him actual bodily harm, in Eldon Park, South Norwood on June 30, last year.

McDowall was a rising star who played for Surrey schools and was a YTS trainee at Fulham FC before going on to play for Croydon Athletic and AFC Wimbledon.

The court heard McDowall’s rental car was clamped in a car park and the defendant’s claims of having a valid permit were dismissed.

McDowall jumped in the clampers’ van to prevent them driving away without releasing his vehicle, but flew into a rage when Mr. Jallah snatched the keys from the rental car’s ignition.

He confronted the victim and landed a single punch – fracturing the victim’s eye socket – but when quizzed by police claimed he was acting in self-defence after the clamper grabbed him around the neck.

“Some time you are going to realize only you can control your anger,” Judge Simon Pratt told McDowall. “You cannot look to others to stop you.

“You have to learn how to control your temper, once you have done that you may become a good and useful person, but until then you remain a risk to the community.

“The offence is an example of you flaring up and losing your temper,” added the Judge. “You got angry because the car you rented was clamped and you thought the victim was a jobsworth because he would not unclamp you.

“You then hit him hard enough to break the bottom of his eye socket and that has had long-term effects on Mr. Jallah.

“When you are released go and play football, go and help youngsters,” added Judge Pratt.

The court heard McDowall has already paid £500 compensation to the victim and his football agent conceded his client has “a short fuse at times.”

He has previous convictions for robbing premiership footballer Anton Ferdinand of two mobile phones following a bust-up at a Croydon nightclub and also drove over a police officer’s foot when stopped with cannabis in his car.

Cannabis-Smuggling Businesswoman Avoids Prison

A struggling businesswoman, who tried to smuggle £18,500 worth of cannabis through Gatwick Airport after stepping off a plane from Jamaica, somehow dodged jail with a suspended sentence.

First-time offender and single-mum Shantelle Springer, 34, of Lilford Road, Camberwell, South London was caught with 6.43 kilos of the drug in her luggage hidden inside dinner trays.

She pleaded guilty to importing the class 'B' drugs at the airport (pictured) on February 7 and at Croydon Crown Court received twelve months' imprisonment, suspended for a year.

The court heard Customs men searched Springer's luggage after she arrived on a flight from Montego Bay and discovered the three sealed trays packed with herbal cannabis.

Her lawyer Iain Starke told the court Springer's Internet cafe was struggling with debts of £5,000 and faced liquidation after county court judgments against her.

"She met a man who said he could help with debts if she brought back weed from Jamaica," explained Mr. Starke.

"She refused, but he was insistent and preyed upon her situation and she relented and agreed to do what he was asking."

Recorder Ian Bourne QC told Springer: "You have been given what many would consider an exceptional chance so make the most of it.

"You were, I accept, under financial hardship and were approached and preyed upon by a person who knew your predicament

"Importation of drugs are very serious offences."

Sex-Trafficking Romanian Rapist Caged

This is the face of an evil pimp caged for ten years for raping a teenage virgin and forcing her to have sex with up to five punters a day.

Cezar Livius Murariu, 28, lured the 18 year-old Romanian girl to a house in Hendon Way, Hendon, North London where he raped her then forced her into prostitution.

He was convicted of rape and two counts of controlling prostitution for gain and was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Southwark Crown Court heard ‘Natalya’ was befriended by Murariu and left her hometown to start a new life in London – with the defendant paying her coach fare.

Just three days into the trip she was raped by the defendant then unwillingly sold to sex customers for £40 a time under the threat of her family being told she was a prostitute.

On July 31, last year officers from the Metropolitan Police’s former Human Trafficking Team and Operation Golf - a joint investigation team with Romanian police - mounted a fast incident response to rescue the young woman.

The police rescued Natalya within 48 hours of being contacted by the family, who had raised the alarm that she was in trouble.

Natalya had managed to send text messages to her family, which they passed on to the Romanian officer on Operation Golf, to get help.

Working with the family, officers instructed her to send over a number plate of a vehicle in the vicinity of where she was being held and this then helped pinpoint the location.

Two days later, Natalya was rescued from the local park, where she was made to exercise to keep in shape for their clients.

Officers surrounded the park to secure the area, then rescued Natalya and took her to a safe location.

Police said that she was visibly afraid when rescued from the scene and grateful that she had finally been saved.

Natalya had a number of missed calls on her phone from Murariu, who had been frantically searching for her.

Murariu was later arrested by officers from the team, in the vicinity of the residence, actively searching for Natalya.

“This vulnerable young European woman has been lured over to the UK, under the false promise of legitimate work and financial gain,” said Detective Constable Roddy Llewellyn of Operation Golf.

“She found herself being sold for sex.

“We work tirelessly both home and abroad to catch these criminals, to stop the exploitation of these young women.”

Toddlers Tutor Jailed For DIY Gun Factory

A primary school teaching assistant who led a double life as a handgun converter for London criminals – turning starting pistols into live deadly firearms – has been locked-up along with his accomplice.

Tyrone Cox, 26, of Balmoral Road, Enfield (pic.top) helped tutor three to five year-olds at an Islington school while using his metal-working skills to produce guns in a garden shed.

He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment at Wood Green Crown Court and jobless Lewis Monk, 22, of Chadwell Avenue, Enfield (pic.2nd top) received twenty-five months.

Cox legally purchased pink and orange Olympic 0.38 blank firing revolvers and converted and spray-painted them in the shed (pic.3^rd bottom) located in the back garden of a house in Barclay Road, Upper Edmonton.

The pair were caught following an operation by the Metropolitan Police’s Projects Team, part of the Serious and Organised Crime Command.

Trained metalworker Cox enlisted the help of Monk to distribute the converted weapons to criminals.

On December 21, last year officers watched as Monk collected Cox and drove him to a sports shop in Enfield where they bought four Olympic 0.38s and 50 rounds of blank-firing ammunition.

Later that day, officers from the Projects Team and specialist firearms officers from CO19 carried out a firearms warrant on the shed, which acted as a crude firearms workshop.

The workshop contained a large brace drill, various drill bits, spray cans and other tools.

The shed also contained four Olympic 0.38 firearms, all converted, (pic.bottom) and 15 rounds of converted ammunition.

The guns were sprayed to enhance their credibility and increase their street value.

There were eight empty Olympic 0.38 boxes in the workshop indicating that another four firearms had already been converted.

Cox and Monk both pleaded guilty to two counts - possession and distribution of firearms and ammunition and conspiracy to convert firearms and ammunition.

Detective Chief Inspector Clive Stevens from the Serious and Organised Crime Command said: “It is quite clear from these prosecutions that we have uncovered and dismantled what has been a significant firearm distribution network whose members had no consideration for the devastation their gun hoard could cause.

“This operation has resulted in converted guns and ammunition being taken out of circulation and has potentially prevented a number of serious injuries or even deaths occurring on the streets of London.

“It is impossible to overestimate the misery and fear these weapons could have brought if they had got into the hands of those seeking to use them.

“These seizures demonstrate the Serious Crime Directorate's determination to tackle those who are responsible for manufacturing and supplying guns.”

Coke Suppliers Jailed After Police Stop

Two cocaine dealers caught red-handed by police with half a kilo of cocaine, worth £35,000, when pulled over in their silver Mercedes have each been jailed for five years.

Driver Leon Reece, 26, of Vancouver Road, Enfield, North London (pic.top) and passenger Peter Fricker, 30, of Whitbread Close, Tottenham (pic.bottom) were stopped on October 28, last year in Endymion Road, Finsbury Park.

Police seized a blue carrier bag from the front passenger footwell, which contained 500 gms. of cocaine of 73% purity.

Both men were convicted at Wood Green Crown Court of possessing the cocaine, with intent to supply.

Detective Constable Kerry Burgess of Haringey Crime Squad said: “This was a vehicle stop that resulted in 500 gms of cocaine being taken off the streets and out of circulation.

Peter Fricker and Leon Reece are now facing the harsh consequences of their actions.

“This should be heeded by others as a stern warning that drug possession and supply will not be tolerated.”

Hotel Tycoon In Court Again

A controversial hotelier - cleared of raping a teenager at his Mayfair home - has been fined for a race-hate rant aimed at a top private Romanian dentist during a row over x-rays and fees.

Iranian-born Ali Farhani, 52, of Charles Street (pictured before the hearing) built up a London hotel empire during the nineties and was reportedly worth £75 million.

In April he was cleared by an Old Bailey jury of drugging and raping an 18 year-old girl, but was convicted of false imprisonment after she was locked in his bedroom for a day.

On Thursday at City of London Magistrates' Court Farhani - accompanied by a stunning blonde Estonian - was convicted of threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour that was racially aggravated at Baker Street Dental Clinic on January 9.

Prosecutor Miss Geneveve Almeyda told the court: "The defendant received treatment at the practice on January 8 and was told he would need an x-ray and there was some discussion about the bill.

"He did not want the x-ray and the dentist did try and treat the tooth, with Mr Farhani complaining he was in pain.

"He returned the next day complaining of toothache and Dr. Ovidiu Maurer told him he needed an x-ray and an argument ensued.

"The shouting was so loud by the defendant it was heard downstairs in the waiting area," explained Miss Almeyda.

"Another dentist entered and witnessed the altercation and heard a number of expletives that were racially aggravated such as: 'Eastern European bastard, cunt, gypsy idiot'."

Police were called and Farhani was arrested, admitting to police he lost his temper. "He told officers: 'There was some argument over money and it escalated'."

Farhani was fined £300, plus a £15 victim surcharge and was ordered to pay £100 compensation to Dr. Maurer.

Gun Cops Pat Themselves On Back

Gangbusting cops seized deadly firearms during an early-morning raid on a suspected armourer – chalking-up another success in their battle with violent drug crime in Hackney.

Officers from Operation Bantam – a proactive firearms unit – joined the local drugs squad to execute a search warrant at the East London address in Ryder Mews, Homerton Road, Homerton at 7 am.

They arrested a 34 year-old man and 16 year-old boy, seizing a revolver (pictured), shotgun, self-loading pistol, shotgun cartridges and a small amount of cannabis.

The various police units joined forces under the umbrella of Operation Hassium.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Bruce of Hackney police said: “These seizures are the result of intensive and ongoing intelligence-led police work under Operation Hassium, Hackney's response to gang crime.

“They demonstrate our intention to remove firearms from the streets of Hackney and officers will continue to identify, target and recover firearms to make the borough a safer place.

“Today's result will undoubtedly have a real impact on tackling gang and gun-enabled crime in Hackney.”

Knifepoint Sex Attack Near Beatles Studio

This is an E-Fit of a knife-wielding sex attacker who pounced on a teenager as she walked home in the early hours near the iconic Abbey Road recording studio made famous by The Beatles.

The Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Unit, which specializes in hunting down sex predators, are appealing for anybody who recognizes the suspect to come forward.

The 19 year-old victim was making her way home from work at 2.30 am on April 29 in Central London’s St. John’s Wood when the man approached.

He tried to make conversation with the young woman, who told him to leave her alone.

The suspect pushed the victim against a wall - threatening her with a knife - then assaulted her and demanded cash.

After taking the victim's money the suspect ran away.

The man is described as black, aged between 18 - 25 years-old, approx 5'6" tall, wearing white trainers and dark clothing.

Detective Constable Carl Ryan said: “We would very much like to hear from anyone who recognizes, or who believes they recognize, the e-fit of the suspect.

“We are also keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident. It may be that they witnessed the incident itself, or the suspect in the area before the assault, or the suspect leaving the area after the assault.”

Anyone with information can call DC Ryan on 020 7421 0393. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Alleged £250M 'Ponzi' Fraudsters Cleared

Two businessmen, accused of running a £250 million-plus international ‘Ponzi’ fraud from a former RAF base, were finally cleared of all charges today (Monday) after two trials totalling nearly fifteen months and a legal bill of over £20m.

Jared Bentley Brook, 40, of Drywood Avenue, Worseley, Manchester, originally from Preesall, Poulton-Le-Fylde, and Lincoln Julian Fraser, 39, of Orford Hall, Brookenby, Binbrook, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, ran Imperial Consolidated, based at RAF Binbrook, Market Rasen, which collapsed in June 2002, owing £150m.

At its peak Imperial Consolidated had ten overseas offices, 350 employees and 3,000 investor clients from all over the world.

The business grew from humble beginnings following a failed venture by the defendants to successfully run the Midland Hotel, Morecambe, Lancashire, resulting in their disqualification as company directors and a string of unhappy creditors.

Both men were found not guilty by a Blackfriars Crown Court jury of conspiracy to defraud investors in investment schemes between January 1, 1998 and June 30, 2002.

Today further not guilty verdicts were entered by trial Judge Mrs Justice Gloster on a similar joint-count of conspiracy to defraud and one count each of fraudulent trading, knowing it was for a fraudulent purpose between May 1, 2000 and June 30, 2002 after the jury remained deadlocked.

The court was told £253.9 million was invested in Imperial Consolidated over four-and-a-half years and over £150 million has vanished, despite investors being convinced by the pair their savings were safe.

The criminal investigation into the defendants began in Summer 2002 and the first trial ended without any verdicts regarding the two defendants in 2008.

The jury was told neither Fraser (pic.bottom) nor Brook (pic.top) who lived in Beacon Lodge, near Louth during the fraud, have any accountancy or formal financial qualifications.

Prosecutor Mr. Tim Barnes QC, representing the Serious Fraud Office announced: “It is not in the public interest to proceed with a second retrial in this case.

“That was a decision take at the highest level after consultation and consideration of all the issues. It was not an easy decision for the Director to make.”

The court will return the defendants passports along with two £50,000 securities – one lodged by Brook’s mother – to ensure the defendants appeared.

A third defendant, Imperial Consolidated director William Godley, who pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to defraud investors will be sentenced on August 2 when the Judge will rule on whether Fraser should receive £47,200 and Brook £62,000 to cover accommodation, travel and food.

Afterwards Fraser’s solicitor Mr. Aziz Rahman said: “Mr Fraser has suffered eight years of investigation and a total of 15 months on trial. This has been a great strain on him and his family. 



“Today’s announcement, the second trial’s verdict and the outcome of the first trial restore Mr Fraser’s reputation, but this lengthy saga calls into question the SFO’s decisions regarding whether a trial and then a retrial were justified.

“Mr Fraser is now receiving further advice from us and considering his options. 



“There is no doubt that a third trial could never have been in the public interest.”

Heroin Gang Caged

A callous heroin dealer who joked drugs in a £1.4m deal were so pure they would “kill a couple of people” is starting a lengthy jail term along with his brother and their Polish contact.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Organised and Serious Crime Command conducted a surveillance operation, which ended in the seizure of 28 kilos of high-purity heroin.

Jobless Paul Channer, 47, of Vernham Road, Greenwich (pic.top) was sentenced to fourteen years and lighting engineer Barry Channer, 40, of Azof Street, Greenwich (pic.mid.) received eight years.

Both were arrested on July 23, last year after collecting the drugs at South Mimms Services, Hertfordshire, from jobless Waldemar Nowakowski, 30, of Opal Close, Canning Town, (pic.bottom) who received eleven years.

After collecting the drugs at the M25 services police overheard Paul Channer boast: “This one is ten out of ten so hopefully it will kill a couple of people.”

The brothers had traveled in convoy, driving a Mercedes and Lexus to the rendezvous and were stopped by armed police in Twelvetrees Crescent, Bow, East London and the heroin with a street value of £1.4m seized.

Detective Inspector Sarah Staff said: “This was a long-term proactive operation which has resulted in the dismantling of an organised criminal network.

“The fact that one of these men apparently aspired to kill people with his drugs shows just how callous these dealers were.

“The hugely damaging effects of heroin on society are well documented and it is only right that those willing to profit from its supply face a lengthy prison sentence.”

Brutal Trio Locked-Up For Frenzied Attack

Three boozy vagrants have been caged after launching a brutal knife attack on a college chemistry technician they hoped would put them up at his home.

Victim Anthony Fernandes, 46, of Windmill Road, Croydon, Surrey suffered 15 stab wounds – mostly to his back – and serious head injuries after ordering the trio out of his house.

Homeless Darren Tyrone Liston, 27, (pic.top) Paul Maddix, 43, (pic.mid.) and 16 year-old Jason Terry (pic.bottom) were all sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of murder.

The Old Bailey heard after an afternoon drinking-session on July 28, last year the trio traveled to the victim’s home after Liston said he had stayed there previously.

They smashed their way into the house at 6.20 pm, but were later asked to leave by Mr. Fernandes, who was unhappy they were all in his home.

A heated argument resulted in him being attacked with such ferocity that, despite his attempts to fight-off his attackers blows, he suffered multiple and subsequently fatal injuries.

Maddix dialed 999 and confessed to the killing, ordering his two co-defendants to leave.

Liston fled the scene and was arrested nearby a short time later despite removing his blood stained T-shirt, later retrieved by officers.

Terry went home and washed his hands, but returned to the scene and told police a tissue of lies in a bid to distance himself from inside the flat and the from the attack.

Detective Inspector Dave Wills of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “Anthony Fernandes had in the past kindly welcomed Darren Liston into his home.

“However, on the day of his murder that trust was violated and his home was taken over by three people who then took his life.

“I hope that today's verdict brings some comfort to Mr. Fernandes' family who have acted with such dignity throughout this tragic experience.”

Jail For City Shares Gambler

A £25,000-a-week rogue City trader motivated by "pride" and "greed" has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after a shares gamble and cover-up cost his employers over £2.5 million.

Jonathan Bunn, 31, of The Villiers, Gower Road, Weybridge, Surrey, a broker with Bishopsgate-based Lewis Charles Securities Ltd. hoped the share price he would pay after agreeing unauthorised sales would plunge - resulting in huge profits.

However, the price he had to pay rose, wiping out any potential profit, leaving the company in the red and Bunn's immediate boss Stavros Loizou with a £350,000 personal loss.

Twelve staff were also made redundant, wages were slashed by 20% and the company lost £500,000 in annual contracts due to bad publicity.

Bunn pleaded guilty to falsifying a document required for an accounting purpose, namely four trade slips, which was misleading, false or deceptive regarding 4,350,000 HSBC shares between July 22 and 24, last year contrary to the Theft Act.

"People in the financial services industry must know if they behave dishonestly on the end of a phone putting other people's money at risk, in this case over £2.5 million, they will be punished for doing so," Recorder of Westminster Geoffrey Rivlin QC told Bunn.

"These offences amount to a very serious breach of trust and although you did not steal money from the company you were gambling with it in a reckless and dishonest manner.

"You have made a significant contribution in bringing this company, albeit temporarily, to it's knees," added the Judge.

Southwark Crown Court heard economics graduate Bunn, who had been licenced by the Financial Services Authority for ten years since leaving prestigious St. Andrew's University was employed on the Interdealing Broker Desk in March, last year.

"He was employed as a consultant and made and earned fifty per cent commission on sales he made," said prosecutor Mr. David Levy. "One could say he was flying high."

In the three months before the rogue trade Manchester-native Bunn earned £300,000, but also lost £75,000 gambling on share prices on an online spread-betting site.

"Mr. Bunn is a gambler with a personal interest in spread-betting and here he was gambling with his employer's reputation and their commitment to the market and the City and it backfired totally," added Mr. Levy.

"He submitted four fraudulent share purchase slips and handed these slips to the back office with the sole intention of misleading the firm into believing the sales were matched. The next day he didn't turn up for work."

Lewis Charles Securities Ltd. had to honour the trade, costing them £2,557,026, plus a further £322,000 in legal and insurance costs.

Bunn was suspended on August 4, resigned five days later and was arrested by City of London Police's Economic Crime Department on November 5.

"There is an element of greed, he wanted to make a commission," said Bunn's lawyer Mr. Gregory Fishwick. "There is also pride, he was told he was doing a good job and to keep going.

"He had made for himself significant profits and for the company some five hundred thousand pounds.

"He was responsible for the vast majority of the profits, he was propping the company up with the profits he was making.

"He has been thrown out by his wife, is living with his parents in Manchester and has lost his job and FSA registration," added Mr. Fishwick.

Bunn has no known assets and compensation will not be pursued.

Cops Nick Drinker For Hurling Abuse

A boozy late-night straggler who asked police for directions ended his evening in custody after screaming: "Stop and listen you fucking wankers!"

Cops did not take kindly to 27 year-old Ilie Grith's drunken outburst near the Bank of England and arrested him on the spot.

Grith, of Warren Road, Leyton, East London pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates' Court (pictured) to being drunk and disorderly in King William Street on June 19.

The court heard the defendant, who had been drinking all day at a concert in Victoria Park, Homerton, approached a police car stopped at traffic lights and asked for information about the next train home.

The officers drove away, but quickly doubled-back after Grith's foul-mouthed rant and arrested the "agitated" defendant.

Grith, who was arrested for a similar drink-related offence when trying to get into a club in December, 2008 told the court: "I knew I had to get home. I just felt ignored, that's why I acted stupid."

He was conditionally discharged for six months.